JESSICA JAMES - HER LIFE Magazine

herlife | contentsCOVER STORYJESSICA JAMESSinger and songwriter Jessica James has seen her music mature in stepwith her growth into womanhood. Now she is preparing to step intoanother role with the man she has always dreamed of as her partner.16contentsIs it fun for me or good for me?Is it low-fat or low-carb? Is itfast food or good food? Byfollowing the three rules above,you eliminate the necessity tofocus on food, diets anddieting.8If you feel like your hairstyle isin a rut, maybe it’s time for afresh look. But when you domake a change, take your faceshape into consideration toaccomplish the most flatteringstyle for you.12Paying attention to our budgetis an important part of householdmanagement. However,just because funds are limiteddoesn’t mean you have to skipyour much-needed anddesired getaways.46681012141620232426283436384142444648WelcomeHealthSpotlightBeautyCulinaryInspirationsCravingsHome and DesignMother’s PerspectiveWineTrendsetterFine ThingsFinanceTie the KnotScene and Be SeenHomeReal EstateTravelTie the KnotHERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 5

herlife | welcomeSTARSTRUCK!Have an inspirationalwoman in your life?If you or someone you knowhas a great story that you thinkshould be told, please email usat linnore@herlifemagazine.com!Like HERLIFE Magazine onFacebook to stay current ongreat discounts, special eventsand behind-the-scenes details:facebook.com/herlifedenverHelp us be green! Please sharethe love and recycle when youare done reading this issue!Last month I had a fun, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – I was invited to attend the 55th annualGrammy Awards held in Los Angeles, California. The awards show was hosted by L.LCool J and featured a star-studded roster of performers, including Rihanna, Taylor Swift, theLumineers, Justin Timberlake, Miranda Lambert and a special first-time duet between EltonJohn and Ed Sheeran, to name a few. It was an unforgettable night of rubbing elbows withcelebrities in the music industry, some of whom I readily recognize and others I don’t unless someonepoints them out to me. It was magical and real at the same time.In this issue of HERLIFE, we are privileged to meet Jessica James, a Southern beauty whois not a stranger to the music industry. She is currently under contact with Mercury Records; herfirst single “Wanted” went Gold in 2009 and her first albumbroke the 100,000 mark in sales. In addition to growing hermusic career, Jessica is busy preparing for her wedding inJune to Broncos’ celebrated wide receiver Eric Decker.Also, please be sure to read our Tie the Knot featuresthis month. Our two couples shared wonderful storiesabout how they met and their journey to their wedding day.Janel and Steven chose to be married outdoors on theedge of the mountain with an incredible view behind them.What a lovely way to showcase beautiful Colorado! On theother hand, Christie & Stefan chose to have a quiet, intimatewedding with their family and friends present in theold schoolhouse at the Denver Botanical Gardens, anothergreat Colorado location.Enjoy this issue!6 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

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herlife | healthMakingHealthy Food ChoicesUsing the Rule of Threeby linda r. priceIf you answer the following three questions, you have one ofthe easiest diets around. It uses the rule of three to determinehealthy food choices: Is it fun for me or good for me? Is it low-fator low-carb? Is it fast food or good food? By following the threerules above, you eliminate the necessity to focus on food, dietsand dieting. In other words, you can get on with your life.Carla D. Spencer, MBA, RD, LD, CN, explains it this way: “Therule of three is an extremely easy way to eat healthier without havingto be focused totally on food to the exclusion of other priorities inone’s life. Because the rule of three states that every time you eat,you must eat one portion each from three different food groups withone choice required to be from the protein group and the other twobeing either vegetable, fruit, sweets or grains, this approach becomeseasily integrated into everyday living.” This approach has a primaryadvantage in its ability to avoid making sacrifices in preferences, familychoice, meals settings, cooking requirements, socioeconomic status,educational level or many other factors that frequently are quotedas the reasons people fail when they attempt to eat healthier. Forexample, it is possible to eat even at McDonald’s and be successfulwith a hamburger (protein), one-half bun (grain) and small salad. Thekey is to eat single portions and to eat across many food groups.“The rule of three is an extremelyeasy way to eat healthier withouthaving to be focused totally on foodto the exclusion of other priorities inone’s life. Because the rule of threestates that every time you eat, youmust eat one portion each fromthree different food groups withone choice required to be from theprotein group and the other twobeing either vegetable, fruit, sweetsor grains, this approach becomeseasily integrated into everyday living.”8 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

So, let’s look at the three questions. First, “Is it fun for me orgood for me?” We all know that a milk chocolate candy bar andcheesecake are not really good for us. They are too full of sugars andfats. However, they are both so fun for me. Often these foods haveno nutritional value and should be limited in a healthy diet. Thus, if Iindulge in these treats, I should also indulge in a really good proteinand one veggie, fruit or grain. I can live with that.The second question: “Is it low-fat or low-carb?” Low-fat andlow-carb means fewer calories and probably more nutrients thanhigh-fat and high-carb foods. A good trick here is to avoid refined,white foods such as breads and potatoes. Pizza, doughnuts, potatochips and white rice do not fall into the low-fat, low-carb category.If you stick to whole grains such as barley, brown rice, buckwheat,bulgur, quinoa, oats and corn, and legumes such as beans,lentils, dried peas and peanuts, you are getting low-fat, low-carbfoods. Low-fat milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products arewise choices to get all the protein and calcium needed in our dailydiet. Fruits are considered low-fat, low-carb choices. They are simplecarbohydrates that are easily digested. They are loaded with vitamins,minerals and fiber to fill us up. All of these foods are packed withnutrients and fiber that help us feel full.Our third question: “Is it fast food or good food?” McDonald’s BigMac with a side order of fries and a soda are not good for us. Theyare fast foods full of fats and carbs, and we all know it. Good food isbrightly colored (carrots, oranges, plums, pumpkins, squash, bell peppersand beans). Choose fruits and vegetables from a rainbow of colors.What micronutrients one doesn’t have, the other probably does.Good food need not take forever to prepare. One of my favoritesources for really good food that can be prepared in less than 15minutes is in a magazine produced by a major weight loss programreadily available at supermarkets. If you live alone, you have theadded advantage of preparing a big pot of chili or soup, freezing theextra portions and cooking only once.Even if you lose weight by following the diet, a good idea is toget in a little extra exercise, especially if you give in to your weaknesses.No one wants flabby upper arms or muffin tops. We need theexercise to tone up the flab. Exercise will also boost our metabolism(helping us lose weight), stabilize our blood sugar and reduce stress.The Rule of Three diet has its advantages. It’s easy to follow andeasy to understand. It doesn’t require you to track points, calories orportion size. You can do these things, if you have the time and thedesire to do so, but it’s not necessary. Since it relieves the stress oftracking what you put in your mouth and time needed to do so, youare freer to enjoy life and more importantly, food—glorious food. ■HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 9

herlife | spotlightBelly up to the bar, ladies! You’re in fora treat!The nail bar at the Belly UpSpa® in Lonetree, Colorado is becomingthe favorite meet-up spot forall the moms in town–new moms, grand-moms,future moms and expectant moms. It doesn’tmatter where you are in the ‘mom cycle,’ we allenjoy and need a little pampering now and then.If you’re imagining the standard salon-spaexperience, get that out of your mind. BellyUp Spa has whipped up a welcoming environmentthat can easily be enjoyed with a group offriends or with little ones in tow. Natural scentsaccompany the fresh air circulating around eachof the pedicure and manicure stations, each withtheir own ventilation system to send chemicalfumes out of the building.Luscious red strawberries mixed withthe creamy soft scent of vanilla–if that’s thefragrance you encounter as you enter the nailbar, that means someone is indulging in theMom-tini to rejuvenate her hands, feet or both. Ifchocolate and caramel have been added to themix, then there may be a mother and daughterenjoying the sweetness of the Hot Fudge Sundaetreatment–strawberry oil, chocolate sugarscrub, caramel hydrating mask and vanilla purityrejuvenating lotion.These are just a couple of the specialtyitems on the menu at the nail bar. At the BellyUp Spa the skin on your hands and feet canreceive the same customized refreshment thatwe often leave just for facials. Why not apply restorativenutrients and moisturizers to the areasof your body that work the hardest and need itthe most? Don’t just ‘belly up’ to the bar, putyour feet up, relax and let the ‘Momtenders’ atBelly Up Spa give those hardworking hands andfeet the royal treatment they deserve.The nail bar buzzes with activity–girlfriendget-togethers, bridal parties and even babyshowers. They’ve had as many as 15 ladies‘belly up’ to the bar for a fun-filled time of girltalk.The open setting of the nail bar is perfectfor these types of gatherings. If you come in forsome ‘me time’ on your own, don’t be surprisedBelly Up Spaby kathleen m. krueger | photography by lightbox images photography10 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

if you leave having made some new friendsin the process. A family atmosphere wherewomen, their children and even their spousescan come and feel part of a safe, loving communityis what the Belly Up Spa was createdto be.Of course, the nail bar is just oneaspect of the offerings at the Belly Up Spa.Moms can also ‘belly up’ to the massagetable. Again, the menu offers go beyond thestandard fare. In addition to traditional Swedishmassage, the Spa also offers Thai Yogamassage and a full line of specialty ‘mommy’massages. Their certified prenatal massagetherapists offer the Perfect PregnancyMassage to help expectant mothers throughthose months leading up to delivery and thena Postpartum Massage to help restore herbody after the baby arrives.For most moms, taking care of theirbodies means going beyond the surface. Becauseof this, the Belly Up Spa also providesfitness opportunities for moms, children andwhole families. A variety of yoga classes areavailable, including Mommy & Me Car SeatYoga for the moms of newborns and infants.Spa owner Rhonda James has recentlyannounced that beginning this month, March2013, moms will also be able to ‘belly up’ tothe exercise bar! Bar classes utilizing a traditionalballet bar will be offered with routinesfocused on strengthening your core and givingyou the lean, graceful legs of a dancer.Rhonda began dreaming and planningfor the Belly Up Spa when she first becamea mom herself. Bringing the mommy-basedspa into reality has been a long but fulfillingjourney. The story of the Belly Up Spa is justbeginning, according to Rhonda, and everynew client becomes a part of that ongoingstory. “We want to know what your place is inour story,” said Rhonda.Rhonda is very conscious of the factthat moms are not immune from the tragediesof life. Only 6 months into one of herpregnancies, Rhonda lost a baby boy namedRobbie. That experience combined with hernatural compassion for people gave birth toa nonprofit called Robbie’s Wish that raisesfunds to help kids in need. As Rhonda looksto the future, she is looking for ways that theBelly Up Spa can bring healing and restorationto women who are dealing with the deepwounds of life’s most painful experiences.These chapters in the story of Belly UpSpa will unfold as the community of nurturingfamilies continues to grow and bondtogether.Belly Up Spa is a truly amazing place.We haven’t even touched on the mom-madeitems available in their Boutique Shop. You’lljust have to stop in or visit their website tofind out more. ■Visit Belly Up Spa at 7600 E. Park MeadowsDrive, Suite 600, Lonetree, CO or onlineat bellyupspa.com.HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 11

herlife | beautyFind the Perfect Haircutfor Your Face Shapeby beth blairIf you feel like your hairstyle is in a rut,maybe it’s time for a fresh look. Butwhen you do make a change, takeyour face shape into consideration toaccomplish the most flattering style foryou. Hairstylist and makeup artist AmandaShackleton said, “There are definite rules inplace about what cuts work on different faceshapes, but be careful not to take them tooliterally. Most people are a combination ofdifferent shapes so it’s not an exact science.What we try to achieve is a balanced look.”“For example, if you have a long face,our goal would be to shorten the face byadding volume on the sides. I would suggeststaying away from straight, one-lengthhaircuts parted down the middle. This willonly lengthen the face. Go for a style that’sparted on the side with shorter layers startingjust below the ears. Adding a little extra bodywith a few waves directed away from theface will lighten and lift the sides. Proportionally,it would be the best way to go.” If you’reinterested in some more suggestions, hereare some cues from other experts.Oval FaceWavy or curly hair is ideal for flatteringan oval face shape, said Gavert Atelier’s styledirector, Mika Fowler. “The great thing aboutoval-shaped faces is that they can prettymuch pull off any style and a bang isn’talways necessary.”“Some stylists say oval is the perfectface shape because you can do just aboutanything hair-wise with it,” shared celebrityhairstylist Nelson Vercher, who also suggestsasking for a long-layered haircut that giveslots of body with short bits around the face.Square Face“The square shape can be tricky, so youhave to be careful to make sure your haircut12 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

hits your face in the right place, as the sides of the jawline can be aproblem,” said Nelson. “Request a short, choppy pixie cut with lots oftexture cut into it and a softness around the face.”Mika chimed in that wavy hair that is not too straight or curlyflatters the square-shaped face. “Someone who has a square-shapedface needs fringe around the hairline in order to create a softerjawline. You never want to do a heavy bang for this face shape as itonly exaggerates the face shape. When asking a stylist, it’s best torequest a dry-cut,” Mika said. “You want to see the hair in its naturalform, how it falls off the head and where the appropriate cut will takeplace that has an organic, less shapely feel. Also, if you’re into color,I recommend light color around the cheekbone area as it adds moresoftness around the lower section of the face.”As for keeping the style, Mika has a secret she recommends.“Most people are not too familiar with dry spray waxes and I live bythese. They are the perfect product for styles like these as they createdimension and shape without it looking forced or too tamed,” shesaid. “The way to pull this look off is always to go for a laidback feelthat is not polished.”Round FaceThe round face shape can be hard if you don’t get your lengthright,” said Nelson. “It will make your face look rounder if you haveshort layers on top or too much length on the bottom. Ask for a midlengthcut with shorter layers on top for volume.”“If you have a round face, straight or wavy hair works best andcurly if you want to really work those arm muscles with the blowdryer,” said Mika. “You want to make sure that the bangs you areasking for are not heavy bangs but more of a side sweep bang,” shecontinued. “To fully achieve this look, you want to make sure there isheight on top of the head so the recommended product for this is aroot volumizer.”Heart-Shaped Face“All hair types work with a heart-shaped face,” shared Mika.Although Nelson pointed out, “Heart-shaped faces can get lostin hair fast, so it’s very important to have a mid- to short-look asa haircut. Ask for a mid-length layered bob with bangs that can beswept to the side.”“When aiming to flatter a heart-shaped face, consider a mediumlengthside fringe coming up behind the cheekbone area to give thechin support for a dramatic style,” recommended Mika. “In addition, thedrastic fringe takes less attention away from the cheekbones, creatingmore on the lower section of the face to even out the look entirely.”Amanda also suggested longer side-swept bangs for heartshapedfaces. “This will disguise a larger forehead and bring it inproportion to your jaw.” ■HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 13

herlife | culinaryMAKING A SPLENDID“SPOT” OF TEAby sherry l. granaderIf you ever have the opportunity to visit England or entertainsomeone from the UK, you will soon realize that, for the English,tea is both a beverage and a meal. I was raised in the U.S. byparents from England and Scotland, and afternoon tea was adaily ritual in our home. It was always an opportunity for my parentsto sit down and enjoy a delicious, hot cup of tea with cookies ortea sandwiches while catching up over the events of the day. Teatimeis one of life’s simple pleasures that help us retreat from the pressuresof the outside world and simply to enjoy each other.Preparing a perfect pot of tearequires brewing the tea for just theright amount of time, usually threeto five minutes, so that tannins arenot released which can make thetea taste bitter.In the 19th century, Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, createdthe ‘first tea’ because dinner was typically served fashionablylate. The British were known for eating a hearty breakfast followedby a light lunch, and did not return to the dinner table for the rest ofthe day. The duchess would ask for a small meal to be served in herprivate quarters in the late afternoon, eventually inviting friends overto join her.The ritual, ceremony and tradition of this specialized meal are apleasant solution to an increasingly frantic pace of today’s way of life.Afternoon tea is a mini-meal consisting of sweets, breads and smallsandwiches, plus a perfectly made hot pot of tea. High tea occurredat the end of a workday with a hearty spread of roasted meats,savory pies, pudding or custard and cakes. Although a traditional teausually consists of crustless sandwiches, finger foods and petit fourson a tiered stand of fine china, it’s a wonderful opportunity to blendfamiliar, well-loved tea dishes with the best of contemporary cuisine.There is nothing more delightful than grazing on small bites of delicious,yummy foods that incorporate non-traditional ingredientspresented in unexpected ways with a great cup of tea.In some of the most lavish, innovative restaurants in this country,restaurants and hotels are offering afternoon tea featuring the freshestingredients from local growers and suppliers. Sandwiches andtarts are garnished with fresh-picked produce such as raspberries,14 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

Here are directions formaking a perfect pot of tea:• Start with cold water in a kettle and bring to a rolling boil. Assoon as the water reaches the boiling point, add it to the teain a teapot. If water is boiled for too long, it loses oxygen andcan affect the taste of the tea.• Rinse the teapot with hot water to preheat it. Do not use ametal pot made of aluminum or it will create an odd taste inthe tea.• Loose tea is best for the richest flavor. A good rule of thumbis one teaspoon of loose tea per cup, plus one teaspoon forthe pot.• Pour the boiling water over the tea in the teapot and stir.Place the lid on the teapot and let stand for at least three tofive minutes. Brewed teas vary in color; however, brewingtime should be your guide, not the color.• To serve, remove the tea bags from the pot or use a strainerto pour for each cup of tea. Bone china, silver or any nonreactivematerial works best for tea.• Cover the pot with a ‘tea cozy’ to keep the remaining tea warm.strawberries, enoki mushrooms, kiwi and daikon sprouts. Chefs areserving grilled shrimp or fish sprinkled with colorful edible flowers.Menu offerings for afternoon tea include an international mix thatreflects an increased interest in regional and ethnic foods.“Teatime” in the afternoon can be as simple as a great cup oftea, or a multicourse meal from casual to formal, for 2 persons to acrowd of 200. It can include elaborate dishes or just a cup of tea withsome sweets, informal sandwiches, scones and muffins. A teatimemeal can be flexible and reflect your personal style. Start with afreshly brewed, perfect pot of tea. It doesn’t matter if you pour it froma gold service set or a simple pottery teapot, the result is the same:mind, body and spirit are renewed and refreshed.Preparing a perfect pot of tea requires brewing the tea for justthe right amount of time, usually three to five minutes, so that tanninsare not released which can make the tea taste bitter. The English havealways enjoyed tea with fresh, cold milk, usually added to the cupfirst before adding the hot tea. Lemon, sugar or honey is optional.Use afternoon tea to mark a celebration, note the change in seasonsor simply to spend time with friends or family. Expand or varythe menu depending on the type of tea or time of day. Bring the traditionof afternoon tea to your home for family and friends to enjoy. ■HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 15

herlife | inspirationsJESSICAJAMESWriting theMusic of HerDreamsby kathleen m. krueger | photographyby lightbox images photography | hairby jessica james and lindsay ambrosioof makeup madame | makeup by jessicajames and lindsay ambrosio ofmakeup madameHaving justnavigated the seasfrom the teenageyears to adulthoodherself, Jessica has areal desire to createmusic that young girlscan relate to and thatwill touch them in adeeper way.settle.”That’s the message that Jessica Rose James would have otheryoung ladies take to heart. “The kind of love we all dream of is outthere. Don’t settle for less,” Jessica says.“NeverOf course, those words of advice are coming from someonewho has recently found her own true love and is in the midst of planning her wedding toBronco’s celebrated wide receiver, Eric Decker.Jessica and Eric have joked about meeting through an online dating site, but inreality it was a mutual friend who provided the connecting point. Their first exchangeswere simply telephone conversations, not even face-to-face. Eric has said that it wasJessica’s easy-going personality and sense of humor that came through during thoseconversations and made him want to get to know her better.16 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

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What Eric found when he met Jessica is what everyone findswhen they meet this five foot Southern beauty – an outspoken, fun,confident, sexy lady. Jessica may not have reached the quartercenturymark in years, but she has established a strong sense of whoshe is as a person. No matter whether she’s on the stage performingor cooking up chili in the kitchen, you’ll find the same down-to-earthpersonality that simply calls it as she sees it.Jessica certainly is no newcomer to the public spotlight. Hername has enjoyed its own celebrity status in the music industry as asongwriter and a recording artist. Jessica’s career involves a differenttype of competition from the NFL, but one that requires its own levelof talent, perseverance and on-the-road performances.At the age of 15, Jessica was making the rounds in Nashvillelooking for her start in the music industry. She’d grown up on countrymusic and had been writing her own songs since she was nine; shewas sure there was a country label out there that would want hertalent. In spite of the difficulty in finding an open door, Jessica finallysigned a recording contract just after finishing high school at the ageof 19.Instead of country music, Mercury Records encouraged Jessicato focus more on pop music, which she did and garnered a significantamount of success. Her single, “Wanted,” went Gold in 2009 and herfirst album broke the 100,000 mark in sales. Being under contractwith a recording company that offers labels in both the pop and countrygenres, Jessica was able to test the waters in both areas duringthe last few years, something not every musician has the opportunityto do. As she has continued to write music and develop her ownstyle, she found that the songs she was generating really didn’t fit thecountry music scene. She’s letting her music tell her which directionto go now instead of trying to fit her music into a specific slot.18 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

While Eric is busy practicing for games, Jessica is in a recordingstudio working on recordings for her next album. You can expect tosee the first single released by summer and the album to follow laterin the year. In addition to her music and Eric’s football schedule, E! isshooting a pilot reality show based on their romance – a whole newadventure for both of them.Meanwhile, wedding plans are in full swing! The wedding dateis set for June 22 and will take place here in Denver. It will be a traditionalchurch wedding with family and friends in attendance. After theceremony the entire wedding party will retreat to the reception locationwhere they will celebrate together “Southern style.” Cajun food, acrawfish boil, bare feet and drinking from mason jars – add music, funand laughter and you have a full-fledged jamboree; and that’s exactlywhat Jessica wants for the first day of their married life together.During the last year, Jessica has been learning what it means tobe the wife of an NFL football player. Having a father in the militarymeant that Jessica had lived a transient life growing up. In spite ofher decidedly Southern roots, she was actually born in Italy and hascalled many places home. She knew little about major league footballor even the game of football itself when she first met Eric. Since then,the other players’ wives have been teaching her the ropes and cluingher in on the intricacies of the game as they cheer from the stands.Now she can talk pro football as if she’s been around it all her life.All pro sports celebrities have the female fans who admire themfor more than their athletic abilities. Eric is no exception. Jessicadoesn’t hesitate to agree with the ladies who flatter him on Twitter.She says she doesn’t blame them; “You can’t deny it. He’s one gorgeousman!”Of course, Eric’s marrying a gal who’s got her own fan base ofthe opposite gender. Her provocative photo layout on Maxim.comshows off her sensual side, one that Jessica doesn’t hesitate to ownup to. “I’m very comfortable with who I am as a woman, and thatincludes my sexuality,” Jessica says.The thing that surprised Jessica the most about the fan base inthe NFL was how fickle they are and how cruel they can be. WhenEric tripped on his way to what should have been a sure-thing touchdown, his attempts to lighten the embarrassment with humor weremet at times with the harsh cruelty of angry Bronco fans. His feistylittle fiancée wasn’t about to stand back and keep quiet. She gotherself a little bit of extra publicity for her tweeted response to someof the criticism, demonstrating that she’s not a ‘blushing’ bride, nora demure Southern belle. This ‘Jessie James’ has her own style ofsharpshooting.Looking back on these first few years of her music career,Jessica has seen her music mature in step with her own maturingprocess as a woman. She’s moved from writing the ‘heartbreak’songs of teenage melodrama to ones that resonate with the elated joyof being fully loved for who you are. She’s learned to work alongsideother talented music artists and many of her songs are co-authored.That more experienced artists would be willing to share authorshipwith her work is perceived as an honor in Jessica’s eyes – a tribute toher talent.Having just navigated the seas from the teenage years to adulthoodherself, Jessica has a real desire to create music that young girls canrelate to and that will touch them in a deeper way. She would hope thatshe might be a role model for them of what it means to chase after yourdreams and still remain true to who you are and the values of love, trustand family.Jessica is excited about marrying the man of her dreams, butthat doesn’t mean she’s letting go of any of her other dreams. Musichas always been able to touch her in a deeper way than anythingelse. It is her hope that her own music will reach into those deepplaces within other young girls and touch them in that same way. ■HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 19

herlife | cravingsJajaBistroby liane davis |photography by lightbox images photography20 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

Gently tucked away off Main Street is the quaint Jaja Bistroin downtown Littleton. The name “Jaja” is slang used inthe south of France for describing everyday wine. JajaBistro is a place to come visit with family, friends and newfoundfriends, while enjoying traditional French cuisine in arelaxed atmosphere. At Jaja’s it’s about the flavorful food and intimatedining experience.With everything cooked to order, executive chef/owner StephanPoullier, originally from the south of France, shows his love and enthusiasmof his traditional French cuisine, from the use of the freshestlocal ingredients to how the meal is prepared and served. Denvernative Janelle Poullier, co-owner and Stephan’s wife, is magnificentat making sure you have everything you need and that your overallexperience at Jaja Bistro is the best.On a Saturday afternoon I walked in and was immediatelygreeted by the friendly staff. As I sat perusing the menu I ordered ahouse Chardonnay to sip during my meal. It was easy to strike up aconversation with the two tables next to me as they were welcomingand social. They were sipping on the Fleur de Lis Mimosa, house redand hot tea. They told me that they come frequently because of theauthentic French cuisine and warm feel of the restaurant.I started with the bacon-wrapped Roasted Dates and thenmoved on to the La Crêpadilla, filled with chicken, Swiss cheese,onions, avocado, fire-roasted Poblano sauce and crème fraîche witha dollop of sour cream on top. You will have no problem devouringone of their many choices of sweet and savory crêpes, homemadequiche and house specials. I also ordered one of the specials, themushroom, shallot and brie quiche. A few of my favorite ingredientsall in one and just too tempting to skip. It was perfection in a bite.My new friends dined on Truffled Fries, Salade Maison (housesalad) and sandwiches like the Croque-Madame and the classicCroque-Monsieur (ham on their rustic country bread with béchameland Swiss) topped with an egg. Jaja Bistro also serves vegetariancrepes and heavenly baked dishes should you be in the mood forHERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 21

something else. Try the Le Franche-Comté —ground beef, mushrooms,potatoes, onions, and béchamel sauce topped with Raclettecheese. Scrumptious and satisfying!Or you could just come for dessert. Opt for one of the sweetcrêpes filled with delectable combinations of Nutella and caramelizedbanana (a house favorite), peanut butter and jam, or sugar and cinnamon.Regardless of what you choose your mouth with be thankingyou. I took my desserts home and my family did not leave one morselon their plates.I will be back for dinner to sample the wonderful specials as wellas their steak au poivre and chocolate mousse. Jaja Bistro is openfor brunch on Sundays and is a great place to spend a lazy afternoonwith family and friends. It’s definitely possible to linger all day. Enjoytraditional French cuisine at Jaja Bistro, très bien! ■Jaja Bistro is located at 5641South Nevada Street, Littleton. Formore information and restaurant hours,please call 303-798-5389 or visitjajabistro.com.Moving to Colorado in 2007, Liane has been enjoying the Colorado culinary scene ever since. Liane has a passionfor cooking, entertaining and enjoying all the activities Colorado offers, especially when she is spending time withher family. She writes the “A taste of...’” segment in The Castle Pines Connection newspaper and other featuredstories. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a BA in Communication and received her MBA from theUniversity of Phoenix. Liane lives in Parker with her husband, Scott, two young boys, Carson and Tyler and theirRhodesian Ridgeback, Catcher.22 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

herlife | home and designlove the space you’re inby linnore gonzales | photo by jm photoartA: Choosing a paint color can be a very stressful process especiallywhen you’re faced with tons of choices and have only your paint deckor a small piece of paint chip to help you make your choice. Below aresome guidelines you can follow:1. Since light affects color, always finalize your color choices in theroom where the color is going to be used and applied.2. Don’t be afraid to use color. If your furniture and flooring is dark,warmer medium tone colors on your wall will look better than having alighter colored wall.3. Don’t test color in isolation, but in terms of color combinations.Colors in your furniture and adjoining rooms will have an impact on thesurrounding wall color. If you have dark furniture, the color on the wallsQ: I want to spruce upmy home and paint afew rooms. I amoverwhelmed withthe vast array ofcolor choices outthere and don’t knowhow to start andchoose the rightcolor for my home.Help!Angela fromHighlands Ranch, COwill appear to look darker because of the contrast, and vice versa.4. If you are debating between two similar dark colors (one beinglighter and the other lighter) choose the lighter one since it will lookmore intense once applied on all four walls.5. When working with a pallet of colors in your home, it is important towork with colors with the same value. If you choose to do green in oneroom and taupe in another, choose those colors in the same place onthe paint strip.6. Don’t look at paint strips laying flat (unless you’re painting the floor!).Look at the color vertically. Tape the paint strip on the wall. If youcan, get bigger samples to tape on your wall. Don’t stand too closeto the chip on the wall. You will make a better judgment standing 6-8feet away. You have to look at the color as it relates to other items andcolors in the room.7. If you feel you have nothing to work with, get inspiration from yourkitchen countertop, backsplash tiles, the tones in the woodwork or froma favorite piece of artwork or fabric that will be used in the room.8. Don’t overdo your home with differentwall colors. A typical home shouldhave a maximum of 3-4 wall colors,one main wall color and 2-3 accent wallcolors. ■Linnore Gonzales is also the owner of a full service decorating company, Decor & You. “Decor & You furnishesand refines residential and commercial interiors. Our designers have the power to simplify how people achievecomfort, style and value in their homes and businesses. It’s an ambitious goal, and Decor & You delivers it –right to your door!”photo provided by jm photoartHERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 23

herlife | mother’s perspectiveMaking Music withYour Childrenby heather l. noble, ph.d.You do what you can to encourage children to eat healthyfoods and have a balanced diet. After all, today’s food choicesfoster growth for the days, weeks and even years to come.Feeding the mind is equally important, and research hasrepeatedly shown that music is a powerful fuel source forchildren, with countless benefits reaching into adulthood.For many children, music is a point of entry into the world of sounds,which ultimately leads to language development. When children hearmusic, they try to decode the sounds and words. The left side of thebrain is stimulated, which is directly involved in processing language. Thebrain’s circuits are then wired to reflect the variety of sounds encountered,in addition to supporting the child’s flexibility with self-expression skills.A child learns how intonation, rhythm and volume vary. These skills arefoundational for social competence.Music is also an appropriate outlet for emotion. Children learn howto express themselves, through creating their own music, in additionto understanding others’ emotions when listening to others’ creations.Children then appreciate the value for communication, both expressiveand receptive. Listening skills are especially valuable for discerning others’emotional states from their speech and any other sounds they mightchoose to make. Music is then known as a tool to convey emotion, butalso it can be appreciated as a powerful method for impacting others’emotions. It can lift one’s spirits or calm one’s fears.Some research studies have actually measured an increase in IQpoints for elementary school-age children who attend weekly music lessons.Their minds are stimulated for curiosity and the enjoyment of learning.Studies in neuroscience have evidenced that children who participatein learning and making music have larger development in neural activityas compared to others who do not train in music. Inherently, if you arecreating music, this activity requires greater use of the brain. So, extensiveneural circuits are built, fine-tuned and repeatedly used.Music also provides ample opportunity to build and practice concentrationand memory. Music training requires an adept focus for learning,creating and appreciating all the sounds made. Sounds are then storedin memory and recalled at later times, such as the lyrics or melody of asong. There is ample opportunity to practice effective memory storageand retrieval.The intellectual skills used for music transfer to many achievementrelatedskills as well. The understanding of music assists children toconsider how many pieces fit together to form a whole, and how multistepproblems might be examined and pieced together to find solutions.These are required skills for the academic arena, including mathematics,engineering, science, the arts and working with computers.Music is of value at any age. The key to including it in children’slives, and having it benefit them, is to be mindful of any and all expectationsfor those involved. There is a growing amount of evidence thatbirth to age nine is an optimal “window of opportunity” for develop-24 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

ing musical appreciation and skills. During this time, children’s mentalcapacities are ripe for such opportunities.The intellectual skills used for musictransfer to many achievementrelatedskills as well. Theunderstanding of music assistschildren to consider how manypieces fit together to form a whole,and how multi-step problems mightbe examined and pieced togetherto find solutions.Infants can first be exposed to music by way of their parents whohum and sing while swaying and swinging the baby to soothe. Musicalgames might be incorporated, and simple instruments that are purchasedor homemade can be explored. Simple routines, such as bathtime, could be accompanied by a created song with the child’s nameincluded. Musical expertise is not necessary—simply the enjoymentof music is of value. Parents can serve as role models for enjoying theprocess by singing and dancing.As children become toddlers, they are increasingly able to identifybeats and melodies, along with instruments. Informally, children can beencouraged to choose songs of their liking for listening, alternated withparents or others also choosing songs for variety. This also might bean appropriate time for attending classes. Programs to explore includeKindermusik and Gymboree classes. By age five, children are increasinglyadept at following formalized lessons. Nevertheless, likely through thisage, the overarching expectations should continue to be greater exposureto and understanding of music rather than honing any particular skill.By about ages six through ten, children have developed greaterphysical strength and stamina. Skill development with a particular instrumentmay take a focus. At this time, the goal of any music lessons mayshift from simply exposure to actually improving performance ability.Regardless of how involved children may become with creatingtheir own music, many benefits come from having access to a wide varietyof tunes. Parents can be a powerful part of the learning process,attending concerts with families and discussing tastes for differentartists and genres. Just as you wouldn’t want a child eating peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches at all meals, ensure variety in music. Serveup a “buffet” of different rhythms, tonalities, keys and cultures to bestnurture development. ■HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 25

herlife | wineFRENCH WINEAND CHEESESby sherry l. granaderNothing goes together better than French food and wine,a combination rooted in the tradition of savory flavorspaired with the perfect wine for an incredible meal. TheFrench are notorious for enjoying a glass of wine withmeals, something that is often enjoyed on a daily basisfor a little bit of luxury. The pleasure of sipping wine enhances thedining experience, whether in France or anywherein the world.The rule of drinking red wine with meat orwhite wine with seafood or chicken dishes hasgone by the wayside. Simply enjoy your favoritewine with French food for a special meal and forgetthe strict guidelines. The secret is to understandthe basics of wine tasting for pairing a variety ofwine with food, especially French food. Here aresome factors to consider when choosing wines.Flavor – aromas determine the flavor of the wine. For example,a nutty aroma in a wine often develops into a chocolate-coffee noteof flavor. The aroma and flavor are closely related.Even though the rules of pairing wines with French food maysound complicated, it is much easier than you think. A good ruleof thumb is to pair a wine with food that matchesits intensity and flavor. For example, a spicy whitewine goes well with a flavorful chicken dish and astrong, full-bodied red wine goes well with steak ina decadent sauce.Aroma –t he ‘bouquet’ of the wine is howit smells when poured into a glass. It can be nutty,floral, earthy or fruity, to name a few. Sometimes thebouquet can be a combination of aromas that create awonderful wine.Acid – wine offers sharp and sour notes that determinethe level of acidity. Think of biting into a sour apple and howthat feels on your tongue.Body – can be light, heavy or creamywhen you taste it and is really a matterof personal taste and opinion.26 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

Here are some suggestions to considerwhen creating French foods:• Sauternes with bleu cheese.• Chardonnay with chicken, scallops, lobster and brie.• Sauvignon Blanc with shrimp, acidic pork, oysters and whitefish.• Pinot Noir with salmon, fatty fish and duck.• Zinfandel or red/white Burgundy with turkey, pheasant and quail.• Red Bordeaux with lamb.• Beaujolais with traditional pork.• Cabernet Sauvignon with beef, venison and grilled meat.• Burgundy with braised meat and game.• Of course, champagne goes well with everything from appetizersto desserts.Julia Child has shared the splendor of French food in this countrythrough her extensive cookbooks and cooking shows, bringing hard workand delicious creativity and fun to every endeavor. The movie Julie and Juliadocuments her start in the cooking profession in France, with Child playedby Meryl Streep. Child’s story is intertwined with that of blogger Julie Powell,who decides to spice up her uneventful life as she challenges herself tocook all 524 recipes in Julia Child’s cookbook Mastering The Art Of FrenchCooking. It is truly a delightful movie.If you have the opportunity to visit France, it is impossible to avoid theendless window displays of mouth-watering sweet delights and pastries.The French love to eat desserts after lunch, dinner or simply enjoy them inthe afternoon. One of the most popular desserts is the French Fruit Tart (Tartaux Fruits) or a Beignet, a doughnut filled with comfiture, a confection, fruitor jam. Try them all.To create the best meals in French cooking, it is important to use thefreshest ingredients available. The best food in France can be found inrestaurants using local ingredients that are in season and cooked to perfection.The best French cooking is regional, so when traveling through Francefind a restaurant that serves local produce. Southern France features foodscooked in olive oil, fresh tomatoes and other flavors of the Mediterranean.The area of Normandy offers dishes cooked in butter and cream. Saucesare made with wines from the area for a local flavor, whether it is meatystew or a light, delicate dish.Pairing food and wine is like a good marriage, as each strengthensand enhances the other for an amazing dining experience. The best matchis what pleases your palate based on your personal preferences. There areno rules to follow when choosing your favorite wines and recipes. Enjoy thewide variety of flavors and aromas of different wines keeping in mind thatthe food can both complement and contradict your wine selections.However, if a dish is ‘light’ in nature, then a white wine usually goeswell with the flavors while a steak and potato dish does well with a fullbodiedred wine. However, it still boils down to personal preference. EnjoyFrench food and wine whenever you have the opportunity. Bon appétit! ■HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 27

herlife | trendsetterblack & white diamondearrings in 18K rose goldLESBOUTIQUES316 fourth streetcastle rock, co 80104303-794-4855photography bylightbox images photography28 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

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herlife | fine thingsTo Love,Honor andCherish:Newer TrendsinWedding Giftsby chandra blackwell“...but it’s ugly,” she lamented. As my newlywedfriend and I stood side-by-side before an arrayof fine china, she’d already forgotten the lessonshe’d burned into my brain when she herselfwas a bride-to-be: Thou Shalt Adhere to theWedding Registry. However, now that she was on the other side of thewedding, it seemed my friend could not abide the china pattern selectedby other friends of ours. Therefore, she was about to do the (previously) unthinkable:choose an off-registry gift, risking the possibility of getting themsomething they already had, or being the fourth person to give the happycouple off-registry champagne flutes.Luckily, weddings and gift-giving have come a long way since thatday nearly 15 years ago. Marrying couples and gift-givers are thinking wayoutside the Crate and Barrel these days. While the need for a good set ofwine glasses or cookware is not likely to abate anytime soon, there are anumber of growing trends in wedding gifts that can express your wishes fora lifetime of happiness—and create a lifetime of memories.One such trend is the move towards experiential gifts. More and more,wedding guests are choosing unique and memorable experiences that thebride and groom can enjoy together. Experiences can range in price fromless than one hundred to several thousand dollars, and there are thousandsof experiences to choose from in almost any region, and for any personalitytype (from adrenaline junkies to couch potatoes). In most cases, if someonecan dream it, the newlyweds can do it.Newlywed NourishmentFor newlyweds with a sense of culinary adventure, a gift certificatefor a private cooking class leads to a fun and edifying sharedexperience—and squelches any possibility that one partner will getout of dinner duty by claiming that he or she can’t cook. Alternately,a couple that prizes the luxury of shared languor might enjoy theirown personal chef to prepare them a gourmet dinner while they cooltheir heels on the sofa.Love Takes WingSend your newlyweds sky-high with the experience of flight. Fora more romantic couple, a hot air balloon tour of the city (or a nearbypicturesque town) makes an ideal experience to share. Similarly, ahelicopter tour offers the same type of adventure—with an engine. Ifyour favorite duo is a force to be reckoned with, give them the gift ofbecoming fighter pilots for a day; they can engage in simulated aircombat, and practice for a lifetime of facing down enemies together.If you’re a semi-traditionalist at heart, and still cherish givinggifts that people can hold in their hands and keep for years, you canstep outside the punch bowl in terms of creativity. A little thoughtgoes a long way toward creating a tangible gift that will also live onin the happy couple’s fondest memories. Meanwhile, they’re likely tohave forgotten who gave them that blender by their third anniversary.34 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

Making MemoriesThis gift will require a fair amount of dedication (and a little bitof stealth), but will more than make up for it in priceless memories.At the couple’s wedding, take as many candid photos of the coupleas you can. Choose the best ones and mail them incrementallyto the happy couple over a period of time. Maybe one a day for amonth, or one a month for a year (if you’re going with the one-yearplan, save the best for last and put it into a lovely frame as an anniversarygift). Each little shipment from you will be a sweet reminderof their special day…and may even be serendipitously timed toengender a little post-marital spat forgiveness.For newlyweds with a senseof culinary adventure, a giftcertificate for a private cookingclass leads to a fun and edifyingshared experience—andsquelches any possibility thatone partner will get out of dinnerduty by claiming that he or shecan’t cook.Happy-Ever-After HolidaysThe first year of wedded bliss is chock-full of things to do (bankaccounts, insurance forms, sometimes a name change or two) andthings to buy (furniture, appliances and maybe a new home). Often,holiday considerations fall to the bottom of the list. One thing theymay not be thinking about is holiday decorations. A personalizedornament to commemorate the couple’s first married Christmas,Kwanza or Hanukkah makes a great gift, no matter what the season!Throw in a set or two of simple ornaments, some seasonal candlesand a pack of white lights (which are a safer choice over multicolored),and they’re well on their way to starting holiday traditions.The best part about wedding gift-giving is that even if youchoose an out-of-the-box gift, tradition doesn’t have to get tossedwith the bridal bouquet. Today’s wedding gift trends offer a uniqueand ideal complement to traditional registries. The most importantpart is that any gift you give contains all your best wishes for a lifetimeof happiness. ■Sources: voices.yahoo.com, lovewedbliss.com,cloud9living.com.HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 35

herlife | financeCheap Chic :Sites and Apps to Help You Save Cashby lisa taranto butlerTechnology is ever-evolving at a Google Fiber pace. Fasterand better, rapid innovation is leaving old school shopping inthe dust. Can you even remember the last time you thumbedthrough a phone book to search for a plumber or walkedinside a bank to make a deposit? These days, mobile andmedia devices allow us to do our business at the touch of our fingertips.But with the economy still uneasy, savvy shoppers want to make surethey are saving money as well as mastering their devices.You don’t have to be a super techie or professional tweeter todiscover great deals through websites and apps. Everything from retailsales to reward apps can be found quickly and easily with just a fewclicks. Here are some Smartphone ideas and laptop sites that keep thecash in your pocket and great deals coming to your door.Shop SavvyTry this barcode scanner to find the best deals either online or atyour local stores. Not only will you see price comparisons but dealscan be bought just by clicking on retailers’ links like Target, Walmartand Best Buy. To test the app, go to a retail outlet, scan the barcodeof a product you’re considering and then compare prices to other localstores. If the price is cheaper online, click your phone and have it deliveredto your door. The app also features a “wish list” that tracks favoriteproducts and reviews from other customers.Retailmenot.comThis fairly new source for online discounts, coupons andpromotional codes is earning points with coupon clipping shopperseverywhere. Look for codes of participating retailers on the Retail-MeNot website, and simply enter the code when checking out onlineto get the savings instantly. Search for coupons by favorite retaileror item. Sign up for email alerts to get the latest scoop and couponnotifications.Cheapism.comIf you like cheapism.com, you are not considered a cheapskate,but a cheapist—a much more flattering term coined by the site forsomeone who likes to save money. As a result of practicing cheapismregularly, cheapists manage to save their money to use for otherpurposes.“Cheap is Chic” at Cheapism.com, where consumers canbuy goods and services at a relatively low cost compared to othersources. Sign up and the site will do a lot of work for you, includingidentifying all the cheap products you are interested in, researching“must have” features, reading product performance reviews andtelling you where to buy the goods. We may be living in uncertainfinancial times, but most of us still want the best available products inour specific budget, and this site seems to answer the call.36 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

Walletpop.comA personal finance site that provides guidance on everything fromsaving on your monthly water bill to scoring the best deals on pet food,Walletpop.com offers financial help with saving, spending, investing andplanning. Easy-to-follow tips on its website, Facebook page and Twitteraccount makes saving cash easy to follow and simple enough for justabout anyone to see success.A personal finance site thatprovides guidance on everythingfrom saving on your monthly waterbill to scoring the best deals onpet food, Walletpop.com offersfinancial help with saving, spending,investing and planning.Key RingApps make the world go round and what better way to conquerthe world than to save money with a hip, free app. Try Key Ring for yourAndroid, iPhone, iPad or Blackberry to save some cash and free upspace on your key chain. Say goodbye to carrying those annoying littleplastic loyalty cards. Key Ring lets you store the information on yourphone rather than clunking up your purse or pocket. Getting rewardedfor shopping at your favorite stores is as easy as taking a photo of yourID number, or just entering the digits on your phone and saving theinformation to your app.CardStarShow your devotion to your most adored merchants by puttingall of your loyalty cards in the palm of your hand. CardStar is anothersimple and free app that is available for most smartphones. By readingthe barcodes on your cards and storing them safely and easily onyour phone, you can leave the checkout counter without ever having tosearch and fumble for your plastic cards. CardStar also notifies you ofspecial deals and sales at your favorite retailers and gives you the scoopon available coupons.You don’t have to be a web developer to develop a crush on dealsavingapps and websites. Easy to use and easy on the pocketbook,you’ll be a savvy shopper (and a little richer) just by picking up thephone. ■Sources: money.cnn.com, cheapism.comand dailyfinance.com.HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 37

herlife | tie the knot38 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

TIED THE KNOT MAY 24TH, 2012BRIDAL gown:David’s BridalHAIR STYLING:Jen Devine, Greenwood VillagePHOTOGRAPHY:JM PhotoArt, DenverCATERER:Granny Ma’s CateringCAKE:Granny Ma’s CateringVENUE:Denver Botanical Gardens,Deer Creek Schoolhouseby marilyn isaminger | photography by jm photoartChristie Gerwinat is 36 years old and has lived in Coloradosince she was 10 years old. A singer and songwriter, she performswith her country band as Christie Marie, and helps leadworship for her church in Highlands Ranch. Christie is blessedto be the mom of two amazing boys and now also stepmomto Stefan’s two great kids. She and Stefan are creating a home for theirblended family in beautiful Highlands Ranch, Colorado.Stefan Gerwinat is 42 years old, and feels fortunate to live in hisadopted home state of Colorado, since his early years were spent movingfrom country to country. He studied law and international businessand today negotiates international deals for a living. Stefan and Christieshare a passion for God, music, and being active in the great outdoors.The two have a very long bucket list, and hope to enjoy decades ofmarried life traveling to see the wonders of God’s creation.Christie and Stefan met for the first time in the lobby of theirchurch on Christmas Eve in 2011. Christie describes Stefan as “tall andhandsome and one of the sweetest people I had ever met!” They talkedthrough e-mails, texts, and phone calls and very quickly came to knoweach other on a deep level. The couple’s first date was a few nightslater on New Year’s Eve, when Stefan surprised her by customizingHERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 39

their date around lights. Christie says, “It was magical! He won myheart in a way I never expected! After our first date, we spent everyday together. I just wanted to be with him all the time.”Stefan is a romantic and a puzzle enthusiast, and from thebeginning shared these qualities with Christie. On the night of his proposal,he created a puzzle for Christie with the solution ‘No sight onearth will rival the heart-stopping beauty and brilliance of your perfecteyes catching and reflecting light,’ which she finished as they arrivedat the Denver Aquarium. Stefan loves to scuba dive, and on this daydrew Christie into that love by having arranged for her to dive for thefirst time in the large tank with sharks, turtles, sting rays, eels, groupers,and lots of little fish. They swam, enjoying the fish, until Christiewas directed to a silver box containing a beautiful set of diamondjourney earrings with a message talking about how their journey wasjust beginning. Christie describes the rest of the evening. “Stefan hadmade reservations for us at the restaurant in the aquarium. Duringdinner, the manager came up with a platter covered by linen andhanded it to me. I immediately looked at Stefan and he was grinningfrom ear to ear. Under the linen on the platter was what looked like aring box. I opened it to find a lovely heart necklace representing twohearts joined as one. Was he finally proposing? No, but he knew whathe was doing.” Following dinner they went to Peak’s Lounge in theHyatt, where they ordered a romantic chocolate fondue dessert andbegan talking about how amazing their time had been together andhow blessed they both felt to have each other. Christie continues,“It was then that Stefan got down on one knee, pulled out the boxand proposed to me with the most beautiful ring I had ever seen.The people around us started to clap as I said ‘Yes!’ I jumped up andkissed and hugged him! I knew I had found my true love; He is theone my heart has searched for so long and I am lucky to be his wife.”The happy couple tied the knot on May 24th, 2012 at Red RocksChapel nestled next to the stunning Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison,Colorado.Christie and Stefan chose to have a quiet, intimate wedding,with family and friends present. Stefan’s daughter and Christie’s nieceserved as flower girls. The couple feels that the simplicity of theirchoice allowed them to focus more on the vows and the meaning oftheir promises to each other and their children.Including personal touches also made the day special. A closefriend created Christie’s bouquet and Stefan’s boutonniere usingmagenta pink roses and white lilies. The couple’s iPod and dock providedmusic playing lightly in the background to set the perfect tone.The intimate reception was held in the old schoolhouse at DenverBotanical Gardens where the couple spent their first date, with foodand cake providing the perfect touch. The photographer capturedlittle treasures in photos and art that the couple will cherish forever.Christie and Stefan honeymooned on the Riviera Maya in Mexicoto soak in the sun and relax together. It rained for most of the trip butthe newlyweds were still able to snorkel, eat amazing food, and justenjoy each other. ■40 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

herlife | scene and be seenHEAVEN IS FOR REAL MINISTRIESphotography by jm photoartHeaven Is For Real Ministries, Inc. was established in May of 2011 due to theoverwhelming response to the book Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo. Toddand his family are currently traveling all over the world to continue to sharetheir miraculous story. This well-attended event was held at Calvary Templein Cherry Creek. For more information about Heaven for Real Ministries visithifrministries.org.HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 41

herlife | homeHeapin’ Helpin’ of Hospitality:by chandra blackwellCreatinga GreatGuest Roomthe difference is all in the details. The things you choose mostly dependon how much you enjoy having overnight guests—and how longyou want them to stay.The Basics (For the One-Night Host)Aside from a bed, there are a few basic items that will make sureyour guests feel comfortable in your home. You may choose to havetowels set aside specifically for guests, or provide their bath timeprovisions from your own stock. But at any rate, towels that are cleanand do not double as sandpaper should suffice. Have an ample stockof bathroom basics. There’s nothing worse than running out of toiletpaper—except for running out of someone else’s toilet paper. Makesure your guests have plenty, as well as a handy supply of otherIt usually starts with a futon. The simple, no-frills means of providingovernight accommodations for visiting friends is both affordableand functional (it’s a sofa and a bed!). Once upon a time, itspresence in your living room was your fledgling foray into AdultLiving. From there, maybe you moved to a Jennifer Convertible(mine was red), and then to the next level of adulthood: a spare roomthat served to give your sleepover guests the privacy of a closed doorwhile also serving as your home office/weight room/craft room. Thenone day, it happened—you moved from Adulthood Lite into full-on,grown-up mode as evidenced by one key accoutrement in your life: afully dedicated guest room.But there are guest rooms and then there are guest rooms, andSince airplane travel doesn’t providemuch in the way of sustenancethese days, it’s a nice idea to havesome snacks awaiting the arrival ofyour visitors. A simple cheese andfruit tray, or a plate of fresh-bakedcookies, will instantly make themglad they came.staples such as tissues, cotton swabs, etc. Chances that a guest willforget his or her toothbrush are slim—but there is still a chance so itcouldn’t hurt to keep a spare handy (it’s a great use for the “freebies”42 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

you get from the dentist). In the rare event of a forgotten toothbrush,you’ll be the hero. And while it’s true that almost everyone these dayssleeps with a smartphone on the nightstand, it’s still a good idea tohave an alarm clock in the room in case the phone battery doesn’tmake it through the night. And some guests do prefer more “oldschool” methods of making sure they get up on time (but you haveour permission to draw the line at providing a live rooster).The Three-Star (For the Three-Night Host)If you still consider guests enjoyable after the first day and wantto up the ante a little, you can include (in addition to the amenitieslisted above) some nice, homey touches that invite them to linger fora couple more days. Consider leaving a small carafe filled daily withfresh water (add cucumber or lemon slices for an added spa-liketouch) on the nightstand. Gone are the times when people traveled bywagon for days on end and arrived weary, dusty and starving. Sinceairplane travel doesn’t provide much in the way of sustenance thesedays, it’s a nice idea to have some snacks awaiting the arrival ofyour visitors. A simple cheese and fruit tray, or a plate of fresh-bakedcookies, will instantly make them glad they came. As valiantly as ahost may strive to make a guest feel at home, it’s harder to convincea guest’s psyche that it’s at home, and psyches tend to cause insomnia.In that event, supplying a variety of magazines is always nice,if only because it keeps sleepless guests entertained sufficiently toavoid waking you up at 2:00 a.m. to play Crazy Eights.Puttin’ on the Ritz (For the Stay-Awhile Host)If you so love having houseguests that people affectionatelycall you “Five-Star,” you’ve got luxury linens, fluffy pillows and cozyatmosphere down pat. But here are a few additional ideas to keepyour guests coming back. Though humankind has bravely soldieredthrough the last decade’s crackdown on carry-on liquids, even themost seasoned traveler surely harbors occasional fantasies aboutarriving at a magical place where all grooming needs are anticipated.You can make those dreams come true by assembling a basket ofbathing and hand washing supplies that will keep your guests feelingclean, happy and loved. Nothing says “I’m glad you’re here” likeloungewear. A cozy robe awaiting your guest’s arrival is the ultimatein VIP treatment—that is, unless you’re willing to throw in a massageand a pedicure. Take your welcome snacks to the next level byequipping your guest room with a fridge full of goodies for a midnightsnackstravaganza (drinks, fruits, sandwiches and bon bons)without the exorbitant fees of a hotel fridge. Although your guestswill probably sleep like babies in the comfort of your luxurious accommodations,it never hurts to insure a peaceful night with thesoothing sounds of a rainforest, babbling brook or rolling sea usinga white noise machine. Throw in a sleep mask and bedtime tea/hotchocolate service, and your houseguests may turn into roommates.Lastly, don’t forget a comment card because how else will you improveyour service?Happy Hosting! ■HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 43

herlife | real estateShopping for aMortgage Lenderby kathleen m. kruegerShopping for a mortgage can be a daunting task, whetheryou’re purchasing a home, taking out a home equity loanor refinancing your existing mortgage. In today’s strugglingeconomic climate, the world of lending can be evenmore difficult to navigate. However, arming yourself witha bit of basic knowledge before taking on the challenge of mortgageshopping can make the process a bit less overwhelming.Before you start searching out lenders, it’s important to understandthe difference between a mortgage lender and a mortgagebroker. A broker doesn’t actually have any money to lend you themselves—they’rein the business of approaching lenders on your behalfand managing the shopping process. This can reduce the number ofheadaches and hassles you have to deal with during the shoppingprocess, but you could end up paying for that added convenience inthe long run.When a mortgage broker acts as a liaison between you and yourlender, he or she could make a positive difference. But if thingsshould go unexpectedly awry, the broker can point fingersat the lender while the lender pins the blame on thebroker. In the end, you could have quite a difficult timesorting out the mess. Furthermore, using a broker tocommunicate with lenders puts all of the control inthat broker’s hands. Unless you make a conscious ef-fort to be as involved in the process as possible, you may not knowwhat kind of deals are being made on your behalf. This is not to saythat brokers are all bad. They can be very helpful and can make theprocess of securing a mortgage almost painless, as long as you’reactively involved in the process. If your credit is less than perfect oryou’re dealing with a lot of factors, working with a broker can actuallyhelp you secure financing that you wouldn’t normally be able to findon your own.It’s important to keep in mind that a mortgage, whether it’s afirst-time loan or a refinance, is a product. You can, and should, shoparound for the best price and terms. Your bank, a credit union, a thriftinstitution or mortgage companies are all avenues through which youcan pursue a mortgage, and each will have different deals they canoffer you. If you’re buying a home for the first time, the excitementcan be enough to make you impatient. A financial bind that requiresa home equity loan can have you scrambling to get the money youneed as quickly as possible. Either way, rushing the process toomuch can have consequences in the long run, so make aneffort to take as much time as you can, shoppingaround for the best mortgage product, andcomparing offers from several lendersand institutions.It’s easy to determine how44 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

much of a down payment you can afford, and how much the householdbudget will allow for monthly mortgage payments. In order toIt’s easy to determine how much of adown payment you can afford, andhow much the household budgetwill allow for monthly mortgagepayments. In order to properlycompare offers from a variety oflenders, you’ll need to know morethan that. With each offer, you needto know what kind of loan, the termsof the loan, interest rates, points andany associated fees.properly compare offers from a variety of lenders, you’ll need to knowmore than that. With each offer, you need to know what kind of loan,the terms of the loan, interest rates, points and any associated fees.Mortgage rates are one of the most important aspects of yourhome loan and can be a bit complicated. An extremely low rate isn’tnecessarily the best deal when it’s attached to an adjustable-ratehome loan, as fluctuations will affect your monthly payment. You alsoneed to know what each offer’s annual percentage rate is, as thatrate includes not only the interest rate, but also credit charges, brokerfees and points that may be attached to the loan.Past credit problems can affect the mortgage options availableto you, but things may not be as dire as you think. If you have creditdifficulties or minor blemishes, you still have the luxury of shopping forthe best possible mortgage product. More serious credit history issueswill affect how much you have to pay in order to borrow money, butyou may still have a bit of negotiating leeway. Don’t take the first offerextended to you simply because your credit history is imperfect andyou’re not confident in your ability to secure a better deal.When it comes to shopping for a mortgage lender, it’s wise totake advantage of every tool at your disposal. Compare rates andconduct research online, contact the Better Business Bureau todetermine the reputations of lenders and brokers, and even considertaking a home-buying class. In the end, the more knowledge you’reable to acquire on the subject, the easier it will be for you to protectyourself from predatory lenders and bad bargains. ■HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 45

herlife | travelHow toGet AwayPaying attention to our budget is an important part ofhousehold management. However, just because funds arelimited doesn’t mean you have to skip your much-neededand desired getaways. The magic key is creative planning.Choose your Destination WiselyTucson-based travel industry insider Kimberly Schmitz suggestspaying attention to the time of year you want to get away. “Travelto your favorite destination off-season,” she said. “Resorts like theWestin La Paloma in Tucson often offer amazing deals to attract offseasonvisitors. Additionally, there are shorter waits for things like roomon a Smallservice, restaurant seating and cabs. The beautiful thing is that thescenery and cultural experiences are still there no matter the season.”Kimberly also suggested following visitors’ bureaus and resortsin your destination cities on Facebook and Twitter. “There are oftenamazing deals on rooms and attractions posted there,” she said.BudgetEat Smartly“When you arrive in a city, stop at a local grocery and pick upwater, snacks and even quick breakfast foods,” said Kimberly. “Mostresorts will have refrigerators to store perishables.”by beth blair“A better choice is to find theplaces that are ‘tried and true’and that are unique to a particularcity, someplace that the localslove and frequent. For example,in San Francisco, locals love tograb lunch at Swan Oyster Depot,a neighborhood seafood joint. It’snot fancy and it’s not trendy, but it’sgood food.”Another cash-saving trick is to avoid “trendy” restaurants, saidGail Leicht, creator of SkinnyGuide.com. “A better choice is to findthe places that are ‘tried and true’ and that are unique to a particularcity, someplace that the locals love and frequent. For example, inSan Francisco, locals love to grab lunch at Swan Oyster Depot, aneighborhood seafood joint. It’s not fancy and it’s not trendy, but it’sgood food. And it’s a great way to get to ‘know’ San Francisco andeat where the locals eat. And the best part? Grabbing a handful offresh-from-the-bay oysters is a relatively cheap lunch compared tositting down at one of the more touristy establishments.”Barbara Weibel of holeinthedonut.com spends her life traveling ona small budget and considers herself to be a frugal traveler. “Whether46 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

I am staying in a hostel, a guesthouse or an apartment rental, ratherthan eating out at pricey restaurants, I try to prepare my own food asmuch as possible. My staples are fresh fruit and yogurt for breakfast,plus fresh baked bread, avocado, tomato, cheese, lettuce, pesto andpasta and/or rice, which provides for two or three days of dinners.While I do some shopping in grocery stores, I find that real bargainsare more likely to be found at the fresh markets, especially nightmarkets, which offer specialties such as marinated olives or sun-driedtomatoes to prepare pasta or rice in a multitude of ways.”Barbara continued, “I’m just finishing up three months in Franceand Spain which was a challenge budget-wise. However, I’ve discoveredways to eat cheaply but well by frequenting the bakeries(boulangeries in France and panaderias in Spain). Both have cheapeats in the form of quiche or pies that resemble deep-dish pizza. Twoslices, each around $2, more than fill me up, and there are endlessvarieties from which to choose such as eggplant, broccoli and onion,leek, olive, etc.”Airfare AdviceGail Leicht also suggested checking out “alternate” airports forbetter fares. “For example, most people think O’Hare when flyingto Chicago. In actuality, Midway is the better choice. It’s closer todowntown, and because it caters to smaller airlines, there are betterfares to be found.”If you’re thinking about crossing the Atlantic, Gail reveals oneof her favorite websites. “In Europe, I’ve discovered the websiteSkypicker (en.skypicker.com), which monitors the cheapest faresaround Europe on a daily basis, allowing me to make last-minuteplans. I put in my current location and a date range, and it shows meall the places in Europe I can fly for very low fares. I can also add aspecific destination if I choose, which can be a country rather thana city.”Alternative LodgingWhile hotels seem like the natural place to stay on a trip, thinkoutside the hotel room. Barbara opts for dorm-style hostels. “I lookfor two-person dorm rooms that allow me to pay for one bed. Mosthostels offering this configuration also have larger dorm rooms, andthey tend to fill the rooms with more beds first, as guests who optfor dorms with eight or ten beds always expect to share. Unless thehostel books up for the night, I often end up with a private room.”Another suggestion is a home swap, said Sara Tetreault, creatorof the website GoGingham.com. “You can stay for free in a homewith a kitchen and even trade cars. You can cook, pack picnics orbring food, and those are also big money savers.” Her family hasswapped homes eight times—four in the U.S. and four in Europe.“You live like a local and have a place to do your laundry, too!” ■HERLIFEHOTDEALS!Want to get great dealsfrom Denver area boutiques,restaurants, and salons delivereddirectly to your inbox?SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER TODAY AT:http://www.herlifemagazine.com/denverSources: westinlapalomaresort.com, skinnyguide.com,holeinthedonut.com and gogingham.com.HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 47

herlife | tie the knotJANELSTEVENby marilyn isaminger | photography by jm photoartJanel Marie (Kinney) Ollason is 27 years old and grewup in a military family, moving every few years. Forcollege, she chose the closest thing to “home” thatshe had, near her grandparents in Albuquerque, NewMexico, the University of New Mexico. Janel attendednursing school at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces,NM and is a nurse at a dermatology clinic in Omaha, Nebraska.Steven Lawrence Ollason is 26 years old and was bornand raised in Albuquerque. He spent five years at the Universityof New Mexico double majoring in biology and chemistryand always knew he wanted to be a dentist. Steven is in hissenior year at Creighton University Dental School in Omaha,where the couple currently lives.Janel and Steven met in an undergrad biology class at theUniversity of New Mexico. As members of a study group, andafter a year of being friends and helping each other throughtough breakups, one night after a study session they decidedto go out and party the night before a test, instead of stayingin like they should have. Janel says, “And it’s a good thing wedid, because he kissed me and the rest is history.”48 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

LOCAL BUSINESSESTHAT SHARED IN THE LOVEBRIDAL gown:Brides by Demetriosbridesmaids’ gowns:Alfred AngeloPHOTOGRAPHY:JM PhotoArt, DenverFLORIST:Wildwoods Fine Flowers, DurangoDJ:AIKO AIKO Sound DJ Services, DurangoCATERER:Durango Mountain Resort, DurangoCAKE:Sweet Treats by Morgan, DurangoVENUE:Durango Mountain Resort, Dante’s PeakHERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM 49

Steven carefully orchestrated thedetails of his proposal, which required muchadvanced planning. Janel had finished nursingschool and was living in Albuquerquewhile Steven was living in Omaha. Janel’sgirlfriend Sarah Red invited her to Denverfor the weekend. Steven planned for Janeland Sarah to have manicures, with the intentof going to a club opening the next night.The two friends spent most of the day gettingready, and by that night Sarah revealedthat a limo was coming to drive them to theopening. Janel, Sarah and friend Lauren tookpictures and went down to meet the limo.Janel describes that moment: “I was so excitedand walked right into the open door ofthe limo. It wasn’t until after the door closedbehind me that I realized that my girlfriendsweren’t in the limo with me. After a briefmoment of panic I heard a familiar voice say,‘Aren’t you going to come in here?’ I was sosurprised and as I looked down the limo tothe dark area at the end there he was on oneknee with a red box in hand!” Janel scooteddown the end to sit in front of him as hesaid, “You are my best friend and the girl ofmy dreams, will you marry me?” Of courseJanel’s reply was “YES!!” Steven then pulledout a bottle of champagne and the couplehad a city tour of Denver before stopping fordinner at Corridor 44 in downtown. It was aperfect evening!The blissful couple tied the knot on July28, 2012, outdoors on the edge of a mountainwith an incredible view behind them.Janel’s Maid of Honor was her cousinRachelle Suggs. Bridesmaids were her bestfriends Michelle Rich, Sarah Red, JenniferCoffey, Lauren Haggerty and Jennice Cote.Junior bridesmaids were Carissa Stone,cousin of the bride, and Taylor Ollason, thegroom’s cousin.Steven’s Best Man was his brother JackOllason. Groomsmen included Neil Garver,Aleks Sorra, Kevin Biringer, Kyle Kinney,cousin of the bride, and James Altamirano,all friends of the groom.The members of the wedding party wereall treated to a white-water rafting tour astheir thank you for being part of Janel andSteven’s special day. The beautiful outdoorlocation was well-chosen for the backdrop ofthe Rocky Mountains, and contributed to theunique quality of the wedding.Janel and Steven spent their honeymoonin Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort inPunta Cana in the Dominican Republic, sincethey wanted to experience an all-inclusiveresort where neither had ever been. Thecouple stayed in the Dominican Republic fora week and it was amazing. The food wasexcellent and the beaches were breathtakinglybeautiful. ■50 HERLIFEMAGAZINE.COM

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